Manchester United attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is likely to miss the Manchester Derby of 10th September against Manchester City through injury, going by statement released by Armenian Football Association.

The Armenian international suffered the injury owing to an off the ball collision with Czech Republic defender Marek Suchy, when the two countries locked horns in their international friendly fixture, which saw Armenia getting defeated 3-0 to Czech Republic. Mkhitaryan, who was subbed off immediately after the collision will also miss the tie against Denmark tomorrow.

The statement on Mkhitaryan’s injury update, released by Armenian FA, confirming that the attacking midfielder has suffered a thigh muscle injury, that will require seven to ten days to heal , means the player would be cutting it tight to make it to the much anticipated Manchester Derby.

As reported by Sky Sports, the 27 year old will now return to Carrington to be assessed by United’s medical staff ahead of the big game at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The statement released by the Armenian FA read: ”As reported, senior national team captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan received an injury against Czech Republic and as a result was unable to continue the match.”

“Mkhitaryan has had a medical examination in a clinic in Mlada Boleslav. Unfortunately, the results are not encouraging.”

“Mkhitaryan was found to have an injury in the lower third of the left thigh muscle. Such injuries usually require a week to 10 days to heal, which means that Mkhitaryan will miss the Denmark-Armenia match on September 4.”

Just when Mkhitaryan was getting his match rhythm, his injury diagnosis has made him doubtful for the derby as the player is facing a race against time to get fit. Manchester City will also be without the services of their mercurial striker Sergio Aguero.

Here is Mkhitaryan’s message to the United fans on his injury

“My dear fans, I appreciate much that you worry about me, thank you! I’m now back in Manchester for treatment and hope to be fit very soon!” the player tweeted.

“I wish my Arm. teammates a successful start of the #WorldCup2018 campaign. As NT’s Captain, I expect a fighting spirit as always #GoArmenia.”

Manchester United have confirmed that Kieran McKenna has been appointed as the club’s new Under-18 coach on Thursday, September 1.

He started out as a midfielder with Enniskillen Town, before he signed for Tottenham Hotspur. However, a hip injury forced him to end his playing career and he moved to take the coaching role at the north London club.

Paul McGuinness left the role at United in February and that was vacant, which will now be filled by McKenna. He signed for the 20-time English champions from rivals Tottenham.

United Under-18 side will take on Middlesbrough in the upcoming clash on Saturday. That will be McKenna’s first game in charge and he will be seen in the dug-out for the first time with his new club.

McKenna’s former club Tottenham knocked United out of the 2015 FA Youth Cup, which they lost to Chelsea in the semi-final.

McKenna, who is a boyhood United fan is delighted to have completed his move as he has already started working with the Red Devils’ youngsters.

“It’s been excellent. I’ve been here about a week now, getting to know the staff, the players and everyone in the building. Everyone has been very welcoming and it helps that I knew quite a few of the staff already and had a good relationship with some of the people here,” McKenna told MUTV.

“I feel I’ve slotted in very quickly and the work with the boys on the grass has all gone extremely well so it’s been very smooth so far.

“I was involved with Tottenham since a 14-year-old lad coming across from Ireland to train with the youth team there,” he added. “I was full time since 16 and had seven fantastic years as a player. Obviously, the last couple were heavily disrupted by injury and I finished my playing career at 23 years old.

“I learned a lot and Tottenham have had a lot of success with Academy and I’m sure they will continue to do so now. To go to Manchester United, there is no bigger move you can make, it’s another fantastic Academy and it’s a dream come true really. I was a massive United fan, my dad brought me over to my first game in the 1994 season to see them lift the Premier League trophy.”

Ahead of the much vaunted Manchester Derby, Manchester United were struck with an injury blow as attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan was forced off in the first half with rib injury on his international duty.

In Armenia’s friendly clash against the Czech Republic, the 27-year-old suffered a rib injury and was subbed off. United will be warily, waiting for his injury status report to come. Mkhitaryan had a collision with the Czech Republic and Basel defender Marek Sukhy.

According to reports, the substitution was precautionary ahead of Armenia’s World Cup qualifier with Denmark on Sunday, which the midfielder is likely to play. He signed for United from Borussia Dortmund in the recently concluded summer transfer window. Mkhitaryan is yet to start for the Premier League giants, since making a switch to Old Trafford.

Mkhitaryan starred for United after coming from the bench in his side’s 1-0 win over Hull City. His form saw him he could make it to the starting lineup for the clash against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Jose Mourinho would probably love to throw Mkhitaryan into the mix against City, as his pace, directness and skill can cause havoc for the opposition’s defence. United and their fans would be on bated breath, waiting for the assessment of the injury.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the injury is not serious and the player is hoping to take part in Armenia’s clash against Denmark. Going by the report, being asked on chances of his availability in their first 2018 World Cup qualifier match, Mkhitaryan answered: “I hope so.”

Sky Sports has reported that Mkhitaryan is a doubt to be part of United squad for the Manchester derby due to a knee injury, caused by the off-the-ball collision with Sukhy. Marouane Fellaini may also miss the derby on September 10 with a back injury, though the midfielder has joined Belgium squad.

Mourinho confirmed that the former Everton suffered a “bad” injury following his side’s third league win over Hull. Fellaini’s involvement for the derby is something that still needs to be assessed. A section of United fans will be hoping the Belgium international could be fit enough to start against City.

Manchester United Under-21 goalkeeper Joel Castro Pereira has completed a season long loan move to Belenenses in Portugal.

The 20-year-old man between the woods, is departing from the club second time on the trot on loan, after playing for Rochdale in the 2015-16 season.

Pereira, who was included in Portugal’s Olympic squad as well, was on the substitue’s list in the senior team’s Europa League clash triumph over FC Midtjylland back in February. The goalkeeper was vice captain for Under-21s, when the rookie Red Devils won the title at White Hart Lane in May earlier this year.

As 26 year old Ricardo Ribeiro left Belenenses this window,the Lisbon based club’s hunt for new goalie saw them capturing the young United prospect. Reportedly, Belenenses has no option to buy the keeper, as they secured only temporary move.

“The 20-year-old, who was part of Portugal’s Olympic squad, is leaving Old Trafford for the second time on a temporary basis after representing Rochdale last term.

“Pereira was on the bench for the first team’s Europa League win over Midtjylland in February and deputised for James Weir as Under-21s captain when the young Reds clinched the title at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane in May.

“Ricardo Ribeiro left Belenenses in the summer and the Lisbon-based club’s search for a new goalkeeper led them to pull off a late swoop for the United man.”

With David De Gea being arguably the best goalkeeper of the Premier League, if not in the world, the first team chances of Pereira were minuscule. So the move makes sense.

Manchester Unitedhave allowed their midfielder James Weir leave the club on the deadline day transfer. The midfielder has joined Hull City on a three-year contract, becoming the second player within a week to move from the Red Devils to the KCOM Stadium after the departure of Will Keane from Old Trafford.

The midfielder, who has spent last eight years at Old Trafford has secured move to KCOM Stadium. He will be playing under the former United assistant manager Mike Phelan.

Weir has signed a three-year contract, as the Tigers have continued their transfer dash with Dieumerci Mbokani being the most hyped capture.

“Wednesday night’s transfer means Weir has followed his United Under-21s colleague Will Keane in making a permanent switch to Hull, the club where former Reds coach Mike Phelan is the caretaker manager. Everybody at Manchester United wishes James well for the future.”

Weir, who left the club on undisclosed fee, also marked his name in first team substitute sheet, though unused, seven times under former manager Louis van Gaal. Though he continued to catch eyes in Warren Joyce’s Under-21s side, that won the title in White Hart Lane. The creative midfielder deputised the young guns and finished the term with six goals. He has one first team appearance to his name when he came on as a substitute in United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford earlier this year.

Talking to the Hull City’s official website, Weir said: “It’s an important time in my career and I think every player of my age wants to try and start playing regular first team football.”

“I couldn’t be happier to join Hull and really get my career started. The key thing for me is that I can be a regular part of the first team squad here and I hope I can help as the club continues to move forward.”

“I’m just looking forward to cracking on now and getting started here. It will be an exciting time once the international break is over and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the lads.”

“I can play in a few positions in midfield, which is a good asset of my game. I can play in the centre, off the striker or on the right or left. Hopefully I can contribute with some goals and assists as I like to be creative, but I also don’t mind putting my foot in when needed.”

The striker is believed to make the switch to KCOM Stadium in a bid to regular first team actions. The 23-year-old will join the side, who suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s side, courtesy to Marcus Rashford’s late goal in the stoppage time.

The striker will play under the former United assistant manager Mike Phelan at Hull. He has signed a three year deal with the Tigers.

“Will, whose twin brother Mike is impressing with Burnley, links up with former Reds assistant manager Mike Phelan and will be out to prove his worth in the Premier League after signing a three-year contract with the Tigers. Everybody at United would like to wish him the very best of luck for the future,” it added.

Keane was the leading the line in 2011 FA Youth Cup winning side that boasted of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison. Despite being the attack spearhead back them, the player did not develop as expected, with his array of injuries to be largely blamed as he suffered major knee and groin injury setbacks, forcing him onto the sidelines.

Former manager Louis van Gaal recalled the number nine from Preston North End to galvanize the attack amidst an injury crisis at Old Trafford last season.

But another injury against Shrewsbury in his second game for the Red Devils curtailed his season that term and with a number of quality forwards at his disposal, current manager Mourinho has decided to offload him, as the new boss continues his squad trimming.

On his transfer from United, Keane said: “I’m really excited. For me, it’s a fresh start and a new challenge so I’m looking forward to coming here and getting underway.”

“I’m 23 now so I wanted to come here on a permanent deal and get settled. My aim is to play as many games as possible and get a real run of games hopefully to help the team do well.”

The Football Association (FA) have confirmed they have charged Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero for an alleged act of violent conduct for his incident during his side’s 3-1 victory over West Ham United.

The Argentine international was involved in an incident where he punched the Hammers player Winston Reid with elbow in the 76th minute of the match at the Etihad last weekend. The former Atletico Madrid star’s behaviour was caught on camera, but was not noticed by match referee Andre Mariner.

However, the video replay shows that Aguero has been guilty and City star has until 6pm on August 31 to respond to those charges.

“The Manchester City forward was involved in an incident with West Ham United’s Winston Reid in the 76th minute of the game on Sunday [28 August 2016]. He has until 6pm on Wednesday 31 August to reply.”

“Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite match officials.

“Each panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence. For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.”

According to the Mirror, Aguero could be slapped with a three match ban for his violent conduct. This means City star striker will miss the Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford after the international break on 10 September.

Read more at http://www.thefa.com/news/governance/2016/aug/sergio-aguero-charged-manchester-city-west-ham-united#L7b2T0QKRF2CRrs8.99

Man United fans pleased with Zlatan Ibrahimovc’s impressive performance against Hull City

Manchester United fans were once again impressed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their side’s 1-0 win over Hull City in the Premier League.

The big Swede may have failed to find the net against Mike Phelan’s side, but his link up play, reading of the game and positional sense brought others into the game, keeping Man United on the front foot all evening.

United fans were quick to acknowledge the 34-year-old’s strong performance.

Brilliant flick from Ibrahimovic in the box the bring the ball down but no one there to shoot

Zlatan is slowly eradicating the myth that his one and only function is scoring goals. The striker didn’t score, but his smart manipulation of the ball and physical presence enabled Jose Mourinho’s side to mount pressure, culminating in Marcus Rashford‘s late winner.

The Swede was most prominent in the first-half, heading just wide after 25 minutes and producing a sublime piece of skill, bringing a high ball down with optimum precision inside’s Hull’s penalty area, alongside drawing the likes of Anthony Martial and Juan Mata into the game.

But despite a positive performance, Zlatan will, no doubt, feel underwhelmed by failing to get on the scoresheet, such is his monstrous appetite for dominating opponents. And with Manchester City lingering around the corner, the Swede will be in a carnivorous mood come September 10.